Acetylene-gas generator



4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

H. SGHNEOKLOTH. AOETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

Patented June 28, 1898. m

(No Model.) 4 Sheets sheet 2.

. H. SOHNEGKLOTH. AGETYLENE. GAS GENERATOR.

No. 606,305. Patented June 28,1898.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets Shee't 3.

H. SOHNEOKLOTH. AGETYLENB GAS GENERATOR.

No. 606,305. PatentedJune 28, 1898. 276.

THE Nonms PEYKRS co. vnormjrrno. WASHINGTON. nv c,

(No Model) 4 She tsS heet 4.

H, SGHNECKLOTH. AG'ETYLENE GAS- GENERATOR.

No. 606,305. Patented June 28, 1898.

U ITED 1 STATES;

PATENT OFFICE.

- HENRY sonNEoKLoTii, or" noLs'rE nv, -I'owA.

AC E'TYLE'N E -"GIALS E 'ATo l I Applicationi'lled Marcl1 1,1897..

$0 at whom it may concern.- t Be it known that I, HENRY ScHNEoKLoT-H, a citizen of the United States, residing at Holstein, in the county of Ida and State of 3 Iowa, have invented a new and useful Acety lene-Gas Generator, of which the followingis a specification.

The primary or generic object of my invention is to provide a generator for producing a acetylene gas, which generator may be placed in a dwelling-room, store, or oftice'and the generator charged with calcium carbid, the

waste product removed, and the entire apparatus operated withoutpermitting the escape of any gas or the disagreeable odor whichal ways accompanies the generation of this kind of gas.

Myobjects are,' furtl1er and more specifically, to provide means for placing a quantity 5 of calcium carbidin the gas-generatingchamber in a rapid and convenient manner without permitting the escape of any gas or odor from the apparatus and also without permit ting the passage of air to the interior of the apparatus, and, further, to provide an ad- 1 ditional or supplementary trap, whereby the pressure is relieved from the rubber tube of the loading device at all times except when the process of loading is in progress.

My object is, further, to provide a seal of simple, cheap, and'durable construction that may be attached or removed very quickly and easily and that will form a perfectly gastight joint without the use of either scre.w-. threaded or accurately-turnedsurfaces.

My object is, further, to provide a generating-chamber designed to contain calcium carbid and so arranged that the calcium carbid may pass through and drop to the base of the apparatus as soon as it is disintegrated by contact with the water and which cannot become clogged by the swelling of the calcium carbid.

My object is, further, to provide means whereby when the generatiu g of gas has ceased the supply of gas will not be suddenly cut off, but instead will he suddenly lessened in vol-; tune, but will nevertheless continue to flow for a certain length of time great enough to furnish opportunity for reloading the machine and securing a new volume of gas, my idea being to prevent the possibility of a continof the pressure-regulating apparatus.

SPECIFICATION forming ara Letters patent No. 606,305, dated June 28, 1898.

Serial N0.625,622. (No model.) i

gency in which all of the lights of a building wi'llsuddenly cease without warning or op- :portunity to prevent it.

' My object is, further, to provide a simple, convenient, and easily-operated means for removing the waste material from the apparatus without permitting any water to escape into the room in which the apparatus is located and without permitting the water to become exposed to the air, it being understood that the water which has been used in generating this kind ofgas or has come in contact with calcium carbid has an offensive smell, my object being to prevent the escape of this odor into' the room'when cleaning out the apparatus. c Y

My object is, further, to provide an air-pump of simple,cheap, and durable construction for this kind of apparatus that may be quickly and easily operated to withdraw gas from a loaded tube and force it back into the generating-chamber, thus saving a certain quantity of gas which has in previous machines been wasted, and, further, to withdraw air from the said loader-tube, so that said air may not pass to the interior of the gas-generating chamber, and thus make the gas impure.

A further object is to provide a device for maintaining the gas-pressure at any predetermined degree in order to produce an even and regular flame.

My invention consists in the construction of the various elements and subcombinations by which the objects contemplated maybe obtained, and, further, in the arrange ment and combination of these mechanisms with each other to form a complete apparatus, as hereinafter set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 shows a side elevation of the complete apparatus. Fig. 2 shows a vertical sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 shows a horizontal sectional view through the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. t shows a vertical sectional view Fig. -5 shows an enlarged sectional view through the 'line 5 5 of Fig. 1 with the'lower clamp in its open position. Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the clamp closed to stop the flow of gas from the generating-chamber into the central portion of the tube. Fig. 7 shows an enlarged and vertical sectional view of a modified form of device for admitting calcium carbid into the interior of the apparatus without permitting the escape of gas and also without introducing air. Fig. 8 shows a detail vertical sectional view of the lower end portion of the device shown in Fig. 7, taken at right angles thereto and with the upper cylinder forced to its lower limit. Fig. 9 shows a vertical sectional view of a device similar to that shown in Fig. 7 and of a slightly-modified construction. Fig. 10 shows a perspective View of the generating-chamber. Fig. 11 shows an enlarged detail sectional view of the pipes leading from the pump, to illustrate the arrangement of the valves therein.

In the following description I shall describe each feature of my invention in detail and later the operation of the completed apparatus taken as a whole.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, particularly to Figs. 5 and 6, in which the chargingapparatus is illustrated, I have used the reference-numeral 10 to indicate a collar formed in the top of the generatingvcompartment and prox'idcd with an inwardly-projecting rim 11.

12 indicates a tube of a size somewhat smaller than the interior of the rim 11 to extend through the collar 10 a considerable distance. At its top is a circular plate 13, having a central opening and an upwardly-projecting collar 14, provided with a roughened exterior surface, to which a flexible rubber tube 15 is fixed. Four rods (indicated by the reference-numeral 16) are extended upwardly from the plate 13 and support the device for sealing or closing the end portions of the said tube 15 and which are constructed as follows: The upper and lower clamping devices or traps are of identical construction, and hence only one of them will be described in detail. It comprises two straight bars 17 to extend in parallel planes on opposite sides of the tube 15. On the inner surfaces of these bars I have fixed strips 18 of flexible material. 011 each end of the bars 17 I have pivoted two arms 19, and on each end of the opposite bar 17 I have pivoted an arm 20, which is somewhat shorter than the arms 19. These bars 17 are supported upon the rods 16 by means of the wires 21, which are passed around the upright rods 16 and also around the guide-rods 22, which are fixed to the bars 17 and project outwardly therefrom. By this arrangement the side bars 17 are slidingly mounted to be capable of a movement to and from each other. In practical operation, assuming that the device is in the position shown in Fig. 5 and that it is desired to close or seal the rubber tube 15 at the point where this clamp or trap occurs, the arms 19 and 20 at each end of the bars 17 are forced outwardly, thus bringing the bars 17 in proximity to each other, and the arms 19 are then swung inwardly to overlap the arms 20,whereupon the bar 17 to which the arms 20 are attached, will be forced against the tube 15, which will be compressed firmly between the bars 17, and inasmuch as said tube 15 is made of rubber a perfect gas-tight trap is provided at this point.

The reference-numeral 23 is used to indicate a rubber tube which leads from the tube 15 to a pump, which will be hereinafter described.

Assuming that the interior of the generating-chamber is full of gas and that it is desired to insert an additional supply of calcium carbid, I proceed as followsz-I first operate the upper clamping device to produce a gas-tight seal at the top of the tube 15 and I then also close the lower seal. Then I operate the pump to exhaust all of the gas contained within the tube 15 between the two clamps. hen all this is exhausted, the upper clamp is opened and a quantity of calcium carbid is placed in the tube. Then the upper clamp is closed and the pump again operated to exhaust all of the air fromthis tube. By reason of the fact that the tube 15 is made of rubber and is elastic it will conform to the shape of the calcium carbid contained therein, and it is obvious that an airpump of very slight power will exhaust the air in the tube 15. Assuming that this tube 15 were made of some material which was .not elastic, it will readily be seen that a vacuum-pump of great power would be necessary to exhaust the air from around the calcium carbid. Hence the utility of the elastic tube in this place will readily be seen. After the air has been exhausted it is only necessary to open the lower clamp, whereupon the calcium carbid will descend through the tube 12 to the interior of the gas-gener ating chamber.

I have provided an additional seal or trap for relieving the pressure from the tube 15 at all times except during the operation of charging the machine. This device comprises a cross-bar 24, located near the upper end of the generating-chamber and having fixed thereto a fiat disk 25, to which an upwardly-projecting collar of smaller diameter is fixed. 27 indicates acone-shaped cap fixed to the top of the collar 26, the edges of which project beyond the collar 26 about the same distance as does the disk 25. 28 indicates a rubber ring circular in cross-section and of a size to fit tightly upon the collar 26. This ring is located on said collar and between the edges of the parts and 27. This rubber ring also is of such diameter that it will project laterally from the collar 26 farther than the edges of the parts 25 and 27, and this device is so placed within the generator that when the tube 12 is lowered to its limit its lower end will encircle the disk 25 and thering 26 will be slightly compressed, as required to produce a gas-tight joint at this point. The reference-numerals 29 and 30 indicate two rings made of rubber, circular in cross-section, and fitted to the upper end portion of the tube 12. They serve to produce: a gas-tight seal around the upper end of the tube 12 and the interior of the collar at all times. The flange 11 serves to prevent the'rings 29 and 30 from passing below the end of the collar 10. It is obvious that with a seal of this kind the parts may be readily,- easily, and quickly connected and a perfect gas-tight seal be made, because the rubber ring will be compressed and at the same time will rollupon the part to which it is attached. Thus there is no sliding motion which would make it difficult to force the parts together with sufficient pressure to compress a rubber ring which was held so that it could not roll. WVhen the sealing device located on the cross-bar 24 is' used, it is necessary in order to operate the charging device to elevate the tube 12 so that its lower end will clear the cone-shaped cap 27, and it is obvious, further,- that when the tube 12 is lowered, as shown in Fig. 2, the escape of gas into the tube 12 is prevented. Hence there will be no gaspressure on the tube 15. In this connection I shall next describe the modified form of charging device illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, in which no rubber tube is used and the use ofv the pump is dispensed with. V 31 indicates a collar which is extended through both parts of thedouble top of the generating-chamber. 32 indicates a cylinder having an outwardly-projecting flange 33 at its top and an outwardly-projecting flange 34 at its lower end. Between these two flanges is a rubber ring 35, which is round in crosssection and which is designed to form a gastight seal between the cylinder 32 and the collar 31 when in position. At the lowerend of the cylinder 32 are two downwardly-projectin g bars 36, having a collar 37 attached to their lower ends. On the bottom of this collar 37 is adisk 38, the edges of which project beond the interior of the collar 31 and which is placed below the end of said collar 31. A zrubbcr ring 39 is placed on this collar 37 to form agas-tight seal between the collar 37 and the collar 31. 40 indicates a hood fixed to the top of the collar 37, having a wedgelape top and having its lower end projecting beyond the collar 37 to hold the rubber ring 3;? in place. It is obvious that when the cylinder 32 is drawn to its upperlimit a gas-tight ;,seal is formed at the lower end of the collar 31. When in this position, the interior of the cylinder 32 is filled with calcium carbid. This, it will be seen, will approximately exclude the air from the interior of the cylinder. The ,reference numeral 41 indicates a cylinder open at its top and closed at its bottom and 2 having at its top the handles 42 and at its bottom the bifurcated projection 43, designed to fit the wedge-shaped cap 40, as shown in Fig. 8. 44 indicates a tube leading from the bottom of the cylinder 41 upwardly through said cylinder to a petcock 45 at the top of the cylinder 41. 46 indicates a packing-ring on the exterior-surface of the cylinder 41, near' its lower-end. In practical use, assuming this charging device to be in the position shown in Fig. '7, I proceed to discharge the calcium carbid which is in thecylinder 32 into the generating-chamber by first forcing the cylthe cylinder'32 as fast as the contents of the said cylinder 32 are discharged. Hence ap proximately no gas can enter in the cylinder 32 or can escape from the interior of the gencrating-chamber. When the calcium carbid has been thus discharged, the cylinders are jointly raised until the ring 39 forms aseal at the lower end of the collar 31. Then the cylinder 41 may be withdrawn from the cylinder 32 by opening the cock 45 and permitting the air to flow into the space thus formed between the two cylinders, and the cylinder 32 is again ready for filling.

In the modification shown in Fig. 9 illustrated still another form of charging the generating-chamber without the use of the rubber tube. This construction comprises a cylinder 50, having at its lower end a disk 51, somewhat larger than the opening in the collar 31 and open at its top, Where a flange 52 isfixed to its exterior surface. Handles 53 are also fixed to this end. At one side of the cylinder, near its lower end, is an opening 54, and 55 indicates an inclined partition on the interior of the cylinder 50 below the opening 54. 56' indicates a collar fixed to the exterior surface of the cylinder 50 a slight distance above its lower end, and 57 indicates a rubber ring on the cylinder between the flange 56 and the bottom of the cylinder to form a seal at the lower end of'the cylinder. 58 indicates a flange on the exterior surface of the cylinder 50 directly above the opening 54, and 59 indicates a rubber ring above the said flange 58. In the upper end of the cylinder 50 is a collar 60, having a bottom 61, and having a tube 62 extending from said bottom upwardly, and another tube 63 extending from the bottom upwardly, with a petcock 64 at its upper end. On the exterior of the collar is a rubber ring 65. The practical operation of this form of the charging device is as follows: Assuming that the cylinder 50 is drawn upwardly, as shown in Fig. 9,'it is obvious that a gas-tight seal will be formed at its lower end'by the ring 57. The collar (30 is detached from the cylinder, and the interior of the cylinder is filled with calcium carbid and the collar 60 placed in its top and the tube 62 and the petcock 64 are closed. The cylinder 50 I have '41 occupies the entire space on the interior of fill with gas. Then the cylinder is drawn upwardly until a gas-tight seal is formed by the ring 57. Then the gas on the interior of the cylinder 50 may be pumped out through the tube (32. The tube 63 serves to permit the escape of air from the interior of the cylinder 50 when the collar (30 is being forced into position therein.

The reference-numeral 65 is used to indicate a cylinder in which the gas-generating apparatus is contained. It has a flat top 66 and below the top a partition 67. The collar 10, hereinbefore described, is passed through the top 06 and the partition 67. A smaller cylinder 68 is arranged within the larger one (35 and is connected at its upper end with the partition 67, and its lower edges are attached to the inner faces of the cylinder 65. This cylinder 68 forms a water-jacket which completely surrounds the interior of the cylinder (55, where the generating apparatus on the grate is contained.

Contained within the upperend of the cylinder (35 is a generating chamber or grate. This is shown in detail in Fig. 10 and comprises a metal rim 70, which is attached to the under surface of the partition 67, and a metal rim 71 of the same size and the same distance below it. A series of straight rods 72 connect these two rims and form an inclosing chamber or grate which is somewhat smaller than the interior of the chamber in which it is placed. By this arrangement the water may pass up around the sides of the generating chamber or grate, and in the event of the calcium carbid forming a hard and compact body within the generating chamber or grate the water may have access to the calcium carbid at its sides and top. A series of rods are extended horizontally across the bottom of the generating chamber or grate and are fixed to the rim 71. The calcium carbid is supported upon a series of upright rods 74, fixed to the cross-piece 73. This supports the larger particles of calcium carbid, and it is obvious that as soon as the calcium carbid begins to disintegrate by reason of the contact with water the particles thereof will fall through the grate. It is obvious that there are no surfaces on the bottom of the grate on which any kind of calcium carbid may remain. Hence when all the calcium carbid has been acted upon by the water the grate will be perfectly free from calcium carbid, and hence cannot become clogged.

75 indicates a cap to cover an opening leading from the generating-chamber outwardly. This provides access to the generating chamber or grate when necessary.

The reference-numeral 76 is used to indicate a cylinder or water-chamber extended higher than the top of the chamber 65 and connected therewith atits lower end by means of a pipe 77. The end of this pipe (indicated by the reference-numeral 78) on the interior of the chamber 65 is bent downwardly, as shown in Fig. 2, so that the refuse from the upwardly from its central portion.

generating-chamber cannot enter and clog the pipe.

79 indicates a pipe leading from the interior of the chamber 76 to the upper end portion of the jacket which surrounds the generating chamber or grate. At the top of the water-chamber 76 is a cap 80 to cover an opening therein, through which water may be admitted to the interior of the chamber.

81 indidates a cock at the lower end of the chamber, through which water may be drawn off.

82 indicates a pipe leading from the upper end of the chamber 7 6 toapoint of discharge at the exterior of the room or building in which the generator is placed.

The reference-numeral 83 indicates a water-gage having its ends connected with the upper and lower end portions of the cylinder 65, and Sat indicates'a similar water-gage having its ends connected with the chamber 76. The scale on the gage 83 is numbered from the tube downwardly, while that upon the scale St is numbered in a reverse way. These scales are so proportioned relative to each other and the gages are so arranged that the water-levels in the cylinders will register at the same number on both gages. Then this registration is exact, it indicates that the proper amount of water is contained within the two cylinders, and when the registrationnumbers fail to coincide water is either admitted to or taken from the cylinder 7 6. The two cylinders are supported upon the uprights 85, which are connected at their lower ends by means of the circular rim 86.

I have provided means for removing the, waste product of the calcium carbid from the chamber 65 without at any time exposing sail waste product or the water in which it i contained to the atmosphere, thus prcven ing the escape of the disagreeable odor whi usually accompanies this refuse or water.

The reference-numeral 87 indicates a fuli nel-shaped bottom in the cylinder 65, and indicates a straight tube in the lower end the inclined bottom 87 to project downwa ml therefrom and having at its lower end and m wardly-projecting flange S9.

The numeral 90 indicates a cylindrical tub: having an elbow 91 projecting inwardly an) This cylinder 90 may be raised or lowered by meant of the lever 92, which is pivoted thereto and fulcrumed to support 93, which in turn i; fixed to the tank 94, which will be hereinafte described.

95 indicates a cock in the lower end of the bottom 87, and 96 indicates a cock in the central portion of the cylindrical tube 90.

97 indicates a cross-piece at the under end of the cylinder 65, and 98 indicates a rod slidingly supported in said cross-piece and having a ball 99 at its lower end portion. Its ex treme lower end is supported by the arm 9] when the cylindrical tube 90 is in its elevated position; but when said cylindrical tube 90 is lowered by means of the lever 92 the ball 99 will engage the lower end of the part 87 and stop the flow of water threthrough and also stop the descent of the rod 98, and as the cylinder 90 is further lowered the rod 98 will become detached from the arm 91. In the top of the tank 9atis a cylindrical tube 100 of the same diameter as the tube 88 and provided with an outwardly-projecting flange 101 at its top.

102 indicates a rubber ring round in crosssection and placed on the upper end portion of the tube 100, and 103 indicates a like ring placed on the lower end portion of the tube 88.

In practical use it is obvious that the water in the cylinder or chamber 65 Will fill the tank 9%, and, further, that the refuse calcium carbid will by gravity pass into the tank 94. Assuming that it is desired to remove the tank 94 for the purposes of cleaning it, I proceed as follows: I first operate the lever 92 to force the cylindrical sleeve 90 downwardly.

It will be understood'that the rubber rings 103 will form'water-tight joints, and which will also permit this tube 90 to move in avertical plane. lVhen this cylinder 90 has been lowered far enough so that the wall 99 will rest upon and inclose the opening in the lower end of the end portion 87, the tank 9 1,

together with the parts connected therewith,

may then be removed and the contents thereof cleaned out through the hand-hole 10%. After the tank has been cleaned the cylindrical tube 90 is placed under the tube 88 and the lever 92 elevated. This will return the parts to their positions, as shown in Fig.

2. The cook 96 is of use in drawing off the water contained above it and below the ball 99, so that this water may not bespilled in taking the device apart.

The reference-numeral 105 is used to indi cate a pipe leading from the generating-chamber of the tank 65 at a point a considerable distance below its top. The pipe extends ,hOriZOnt-ally to the interior of the cylinder 76 and is then bent upwardly at 106 and then coiled within the interior of the cylinder 76 and its lower end extended outwardly through the cylinder 76 to a pressure-regulating tank, which will be hereinafter described.

A pipe 107 leads upwardly from this pressure-regulating tank to a point of discharge. The reference-numeral 108 indicates-a small pipe which leads from the upper end of the generating-chamber'to this pipe 107. This pipe 108 is of such small diameter that although the gas is forced therefrom at a considerable pressure it will not materially affect the pressure upon the pipe107'or upon the pressureregulator. 7

In practical use the parts just described operate as follows: The gas is taken from the generating-chamber through the pipe 105 and by being passed through the coil it will become cooled before entering the pressureregulating tank. By reason of the upward bend 106 in this pipe it is obvious that although the water in the generating-chamber may pass above the end of the pipe 105 the water will not fill said pipe, and as soon as the water recedes the pipe will be emptied. These pipes 105 and 108 are placed in their relative positions, so that when the supply of gas is exhausted and the flow of gas through the pipe 105 ceases the gas-jets which are being supplied by the generator will not be suddenly extinguished, because the pipe 108 will continue to supply them with a small amount of gas contained in the generatingchamber between the end of the pipe 105 and the top of the generating-chamber. This supply of gas, although being sufficient only to produce a small blaze, prevents the gas from being extinguished entirely without warning.

I shall next describe the pump by which gas or air is withdrawn from the elastic charging-tube and forced into the gas-generating chamber or the top of the tank 7 6.

The reference-numeral 109 indicates a tube fixed to the top of the tank 76 and extended downwardly therefrom and open at its bottom. 110 indicates a similar tube of smaller diameter connected at its lower end with the tube 109 and having a closed top 111. These tubes are of such relative size as to leave a space between them.

112 indicates a tube open at its bottom and closed at its top and designed to enter between the tubes 109 and 110. On account of the lower end of the tube 109 being open the water in the tank 76 may enter the tube and thus form a water seal between the tubes 109 and 112.

113 indicates a handle fixed to the top of the tube 112, whereby it may be operated.

114 indicates a flexible pipe communicating with the interior of the tube 112 and also with the central portion of the flexible chargingtube 15. A valve 115 is placed in this tube 114 so arranged as to admit air or gas to flow into the tube 112, but not outwardly.

116 indicates a flexible tube leading from the cylinder 112 to the interior of the generating-chamber 65. It is provided with a cutoff valve 117 and also with a branch pipe 118, which leads to the upper end of the cylinder 76. This pipe is also provided with a cutoif valve 119.

In practical use, when it is desired to draw the vaporous contents out of the tube 15 into the pump, the handle 113 is grasped and raised. This will obviously cause the gas or air to flow into the interior of the tube 112, which is made large enough to contain all of the contents of the tube 15. If the pump has been filled with gas, the cut-off valve 119 is closed and the valve 117 is opened. Then the cylinder 112 is lowered and the gas is all forced into the generating-chamber 65. If

the tube 15 contained air, the cut-oft valve 117 is closed and the valve 119 is opened. Then when the pump is lowered its contents will be forced into the top of the chamber 7 6, and then may pass 01f through the pipe 82, so that no odor may escape into the room or building in which the operation is being performed.

The pressure-regulating device hereinbefore mentioned comprises a base .120 and a double-walled cylinder 121, fixed thereto, open at its top and having a slight space between the walls.

122 indicates a pipe projecting upwardly through the base 120 and connected with the pipe 105.

123 indicates a drip-cup at the intersection of the pipes 105 and 122, having a petcock 124 at its lower end. Vhen any moisture c01- lects in the pipe 122, it will eventually pass into this cup 123, and may be withdrawn by the petcock 121.

125 indicates a drip-cup in the base 120. This is also provided with a petcock 126.

The reference-numeral 127 indicates a cylinder having a top 128 and open at its lower end. This cylinder is of such a size as to pass between the walls 121.

The reference-numeral 129 indicates an upright secured to the base 120 of the cylinder 121 and having a lever 130 fulcrumed thereto. On one end of this lever is a disk 131, designed to engage the top of the pipe 122 and to close it when brought in contact therewith. 132 indicates a weight on the outer end of this lever to normally hold the disk 131 out of engagement with the pipe 122.

133 indicates a rod fixed to the lever 130 and extended upward through the top 128. Nuts 134tare placed on this red on opposite sides of the top 128, so that it may be adjusted vertically. It is obvious that when the pressure of gas in the interior of the chamber is sufficient to elevate the top 128 the disk 131 will be forced into engagement with the pipe 122. It is obvious, further, that this pressure in the interior of the cylinder must be sufficient to overcome the resistance of the weight 132 and also that of the weight of the entire cylinder 127. hen it is desired to increase the pressure of gas necessary to cut off the pipe 122, I place a weight on top of the part 128, so that the gas-pressure must overcome this weight in addition to the weight 132. It is a very simple matter to place weights on the part 128, and hence the gas-pressure can be adjusted to a nicety.

Having thus described the construction and function of each of the parts separately, I shall next describe briefly the operation of the entire apparatus.

In preparing the apparatus for use I first fill the cylinders 76 and with water through the opening at 80 and until the water-level in each compartment stands at a corresponding number onthe water-glasses in the compartments. All of the openings to the interior of the apparatus are then closed, with the exception of the pipe 82. I then place a charge of calcium carbid upon the grate in the manner hereinbefore described, and that without admitting any air into the chamber 65. lVhen the cylinder 12 has been lowered, it is obvious that its lower end will be tightly sealed and that there Will be no gas-pressure upon the tube 15 when the generation of gas begins. This of course will take place immediately upon the admission of the calcium carbid into the grate. It is obvious, further, that this gas will rise to the top of the chamber 65, and as soon as the pressure becomes great enough the water will be forced downwardly in the chamber 65 and upwardly into the chamber 7 6. As soon as the water is forced down below the end of the pipe 106 the gas will begin to How through said pipe and into the pressiu'e-regulating tank and from thence to the supply-pipe. The operation of this pressure-regulating tank has been fully described, and it will be understood how an even pressure is maintained upon the gas in the supply-pipe. When the generation of gas in the grate has ceased on account of the withdrawal of the water, the pressure 011 the water will be relieved, and it will again rise in the chamber 65 until it covers the calcium carbid. As fast as the calcium carbid is disintegrated by contact with the water the particles will fall and pass into the tank 94, there being an unobstructed passage through the chamber 65 to the said tank. lVhen the accumulation in the tank has become considerable, the tank is removed in the manner previously described without drawing off the body of water in the chambers 76 and 65.

\Vhat I claim that my invention is- 1. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination of a generating-chamber, a gas-supply pipe leading from the generating-chamber at a point above the supply of calcium carbid and a considerable distance below the top of the chamber, and a comparatively small tube leading from a point near the top of the gas-generating chamber into the said supply-pipe and of such a size that the flow of gas therethrough is comparatively'insignificant and yet of suflicient size, so that,wheu the supply of gas within the generating-chamber has become exhausted, an amount will pass through the said tube suflicient to keep the burners connected with the gas-supply pipe ignited for a short time, for the purposes stated.

2. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination of a generating-chamber, a gas-supply pipe leading therefrom at a point some distance below its top, a pressure-regulating apparatus having a supply pipe leading thereinto, a pipe leading from the pressureregulating apparatus, to supply burners, and a tube of comparatively small size leading from a point in the generating-chamber above the point of discharge of the supply-pipe and into the aforesaid pipe leading from the generating-chamber, all arranged and combined substantially in the manner set forth and for the purposes stated.

3. A device for charging orloadin g an acetylene-gas generator or the like, comprising a tube designed to be placed in the top of the generating apparatus and communicating with its interior, a gas-tight trap at its up-- per end portion, and a'similar trap near its lower end portion,'means for opening and closing said traps, and a device for withdrawing the vaporous contents of the space be theinterior of the generating-chamber, a gas-' tlght trap at its upper end portion, a similarv trap at its lower end portion, means for opening and closing said traps, and a device for exhausting the vaporous contents of the tube between the traps.

5. A device for charging or loading an acetylene-gas generator, comprising a flexible tube arranged to communicate With the interior of a generating-chamber, a clamp at the top of said tube whereby it may be tightly closed, a

similar clamp at the lower end portion of the tube,and a device for exhausting the vaporous contents of the tube between the said clamps. 0. Adevice for charging orloading an acetylene-gas generator, comprising a flexible tube arranged to communicate with the interiorof a gas-generating chamber, four uprights secured to the chamber to inclose the tube, two cross-bars arranged on opposite sides of the tube near its lower end, means for slidingly mounting the bars upon said uprights to be capable of a movement toward each other, two relatively long arms pivoted to the ends of one of said bars, two relatively short arms pivoted to the ends of the other bar and also pivoted to the ends of the aforesaid arms, a similar clamping device supported at the upper ends of the said rods, and a device for ex-,

hausting the vaporous contents of the tube between the clamps, substantially as and for the purposes stated.

7. A device for charging orloadin g an acetylene-gas generator, comprising a metal tube slidingly mounted in the upper end of the gas-- generating chamber, a gas-tight packing on the exterior of said tube, a device fixed within the generating-chamber and arranged to seal the lower end of said tube when said tube is lowered, a flexible tube secured to the top of the aforesaid tube, a gas-tight trap at the lower end of said flexible tube, a similar trap said cross-piece, a collar on said disk, a cap on top of the collar, a rubber ring round in crossat the upper end of said tube, and means forsection mounted on said. collar and designed to seal the lower end of 'the said tube when said tube is in its lowered position, a number of uprights secured to the upper end portion of the saidtube, a clamping device substantially as shown and described fixed to the said uprights at their lower end portions, 2.

similar clamping device at the upper end portions of said uprights, a flexible tube connected to and communicating with the aforesaid metal tube and extending upwardly through said clamps, and means for exhaustin g the vaporous contents of said flexible tube between the clamps, substantially as and for the purposes stated.- V

9. In an acetylenegas generator, the combination of a tube communicating with the interior-of the generating-chamber, a trap at each end of the tube, a pump, a tube connected with the central portion of the aforesaid tube and with the pump, a valve in said tube, a similar tube leading from the'pump to the gas-generating chamber, and a valve in this tube, for the purposes stated.

. 10. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination ofa tube communicating with the interior of the generating-chamber, a trap at each end of the tube, av pump, a pipe connected with the central 'portion of the tube and with the pump, a valve in said pipe, a pipe leading from the pump to the generating-chamber, a valve in said pipe, a cut-off valve in the pipe near the generating-chamber, a branch leading from the said pipe to a 4 oint of dischar e and a cut-off valve in said pipe, for the purposes stated.

11; In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination of a tube communicating with the interior of the generating-chamber, a trapat each end thereof, a pipe leading from thecentral portion of said tube, a valve in said pipe, a double-walled cylinder having a space betweenthe walls open at its upper and lower ends and attached to the said cylinder, a cylinder designed to enter the space between the double-walled cylinder, closed at its top and having the said pipe connected therewith, a pipe leading from the same cylinder tothe interior of the gas-generating chamber, and a valve in said pipe, substantially as and for the purposes stated.

12. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination of a flexible tube communicating with the interior of the generating-chamber, a trap near the lower end portion thereof, and a trap near its upper end, a pipe leading from the central portion of said tube, a valve in said pipe, a doublewalled cylinder having a space between the walls open at its upper and lower ends and attached to the central cylinder, a cylinder designed to enter the space between the double-walled cylinder, closed at its top and having the said pipe connected tially as and for the purposes stated.

13'. In an acetylcne-gas-generating apparatus, the combination of two chambers having a pipe to connect them and so arranged that the gas-pressure in the gencrating-chamber will force the water downwardly in said chamber and upwardly in the other chamber, a water-jacket on the interior and top portion -of the generating-chamber to surround and a like gage on the other chamber numbered in a reverse way and so proportioned relative to each other and to the sizes of the chambers that when the two chambers have been filled until the gages register alike in each the two gages will continue to register alike during the rise and fall of the water in the chambers, as long as the same quantity of water is contained therein.

15. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination of two chambers, a grate in one chamber, a tube in the top of the chamber leading to the grate, atrapin each end portionof said tube, a pipe leading from the central portion of said tube between the traps,a double-walled cylinder having a space between the walls, open at both ends, and arranged within the other chamber, with said lower' end in the water normallycontained in said chamber, a top for closing the upper end of the inner part of said double-walled cylinder, a cylinder closed at its top and open at its bottom inserted between the walls of the double cylinder and of a length suflicient to reach the water in the said chamber to form a water seal at its lower end, a pipe leading from the said chamber, and a valve therein, substantially as and for the purposes stated.

16. A device for removing waste calcium carbid from an acetylene-gas generator without exposing said waste, comprising a generating-tank, a tube projecting downwardly from its lower end, a water-tank below the generating-011amber, a tube projecting upwardly from the water -tank, a rubber ring round in cross-section placed on each of said tubes, a larger tube designed to overlap said tubes and the rings thereof, an automatic valve at the top of the upper tube, and means for closing said valve when the said larger tube is lowered, for the purposes stated.

17. A device for removing waste calcium carbid from'an acetylene-gas generator without exposing same, comprising a generatorcha1nber,a tube projecting downwardly therefrom with its lower end flared outwardly, a rubber ring round in cross-section placed on said tube, a cross-bar within the generatingchamber, a rod slidingly mounted in said cross-bar, a ball on said rod designed, when lowered, to close the opening at the lower end of the chamber, a tank below the chamber, a tube projecting upwardly therefrom With its upper ends flared outwardly, a rubher ring round in cross section placed on the upper end of said tube, a sleeve of larger diameter designed to admit the ends of said tubes and overlap the said rings, an arm on the inner surface of said sleeve to support said rod, subchamber, a -rod slidingly mounted in saith cross-bar, a ball on said rod designed, when lowered, to close the opening at the lower end of the chamber, a tank below the chamber, a

tube projecting upwardly therefrom with its upper ends flared outwardly, a rubber ring round in cross-section placed on the upper end of said tube, a sleeve of larger diameter designed to admit the ends of said tubes and overlap the said rings, an arm on- {M inner surface of said sleeve to support saidro'd, and a cock to connect with the said sleeve, substantially as and for the purposes rated.

19. An acetylene-gas generator, comprising two cylinders, a water-jacket at the upper end portion of one cylinder, a pipe eonnecting it with the interior of the other cylinder, a grate within the water-jacket, a device for loading the grate with calcium carbid substantially as shown and described, a pump for withdrawing the vaporous contents from the said loading device and discharging said contents either into the generating-chamber or into the top of the other chamber, watergages on the said chambers numbered in opposite directions as set forth, a gas-supply pipe leading from the generating-chamber into the other chamberbent upwardlythercin then coiled and then extended outwardly, a pressure regulating tank substantially as shown and described having said supply-pipe extending into it, supply-pipe leading from the pressure-regulating tank, a relatively small pipe leading from the top of the generating-chamber into said supply-pipe, a tank below the generatingchamber, means for pro viding communication between the generating-chamber and said tank, mechanisms substantially as shown and described for breaking the connection between the generatingchamber and the said tank and for closing the lower end-of the generatin -chamber, all arranged and combined substantially in the manner set forth and for the purposes stated.

HENRY SOIINEGKLOTII.

Witnesses:

CHARLIE STOFFERAHN, OLAUs. Lnncnr. 

